Jeremy Clarkson, known for his roles on Top Gear, The Grand Tour, and Clarkson’s Farm, has opened up about his future and why retiring isn’t something he’s considering anytime soon. At 65, the veteran presenter admits that stepping away from work would leave him with little to occupy his time.
Speaking to the Sunday Times, Clarkson said, “I’d just be an alcoholic if I stopped working, what else would I do? I have no hobbies, I’m good at nothing.” Unlike many who enjoy leisure activities such as golf or fishing, Clarkson confessed he finds little interest in hobbies, explaining, “No, I enjoy having lots of different jobs to do.”
Clarkson also reflected on his views about death and the reality of life’s final moments. He revealed that he has already recognized doing some things for the last time, such as skiing. “I’ve definitely skied for the last time. I was in Zermatt on a beautiful day with magnificent snow and I suddenly thought, I hate this, why do I do it? I’ve never been back and I never will,” he shared.
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This frank discussion about mortality follows Clarkson’s recent health scare. Last year, he underwent heart surgery during which a stent was fitted. The experience prompted him to make significant lifestyle changes focused on healthier eating and cutting back on alcohol. Earlier this year, Clarkson told fans he was “feeling better” and “eating far fewer sausages.”
While filming ITV’s Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?, Clarkson remarked humorously about monitoring his activity levels and diet through his phone, saying, “My phone flashed up this morning saying, ‘you are taking far fewer steps this week than last.’ I thought, ‘yeah, I would be as I am sitting here.’ It also says you are eating far fewer sausages. I just sit here and eat celery. I am feeling better on it. I do feel very well.”
He credited a dietician for helping him avoid processed foods, explaining, “If it’s got more than one ingredient in it, don’t eat it. I feel great.”
Prior to his heart surgery, Clarkson had voiced concerns around aging, specifically relating to his hearing. He shared that he noticed hearing loss and was alarmed to learn that it could double his risk of dementia. “If you stood right next to me and asked me to empty the dishwasher, I’d just get a Garfunkelly sound of silence,” he joked.
Despite the challenges posed by aging and health, Jeremy Clarkson remains committed to work and tackling new projects, proving that retirement remains a distant prospect for the outspoken presenter.